EasyJet row after airline turns away blind passenger with guide dog

A blind woman was left stranded at Gatwick Airport after check-in staff for budget airline easyJet refused to allow her guide dog to board the plane.

Left behind: Joanna Jones found herself stranded at Gatwick Airport after easyJet refused to let her guide dog Orla on a flight to Belfast (Picture: Pacemaker Press)

Joanna Jones, who lives in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, had been due to fly to Belfast International on Sunday with her dog Orla, a poodle/labrador cross, but was left shocked after staff demanded to see the animal’s passport – even though the flight was an internal one.

And when she was unable to produce paperwork proving that Orla was a genuine guide dog she was told she would not be allowed on the plane.

She eventually managed to get confirmation of Orla’s status from the Guide Dogs Association – but by this time had missed her flight.

The 34-year-old – who said she had booked the flight months in advance and had contacted the airline to check they knew she was travelling with a guide dog – said that she had been left ‘totally frustrated and flabbergasted’ by the whole incident

easyJet have since apologised to Miss Jones but said they needed to follow regulations over guide dogs needing documentation (Picture: PA)

‘I’ve been flying backwards and forwards from Northern Ireland for 12 years and have never been asked for paperwork,’ Miss Jones told the Mirror, pointing out that Orla had been wearing an official guide dog harness.

‘I have experienced discrimination before but not to this level.’

EasyJet said, ‘We would like to apologise. However regulations require documentation show that they are a trained guide dog.’